Onward Christian Soldier

Dare I say that most people...I'll say, the secular's, believe that Christians have it made in the shade...or at least believe that Christians, themselves believe they have it made in the shade....

Not that they believe we posses some secret or gift...but that we are somehow disillusioned and naive.

Nothing could be further from the truth...once becoming a Christian, and having claimed Christs' Victory over death, for ourselves, there is an onslaught of turmoil and inward suffering to be dealt with.

The flip side of this is the gift of eternity spent in splendor with the living God and before that, the hope of it.

When succumbing to faith and the 'belief in a greatness,' fathomed by our gift of imagination and eclipsed by the reality of this fallen world, we are given...new eyes. A new heart. A new voice. A new pair of hands and a new pair of feet.

There is a desire that overtakes you...and it is to be pleasing to the King.

We falter often and wish we could literally bite our tongues for the nonsense we stubbornly deliver.

The difference being though, is that we hold ourselves accountable. It isn't very long before our spirits are convicted and we are recoiling at our lack of self control and haste. Not very long at all.

Greater is our suffering for it. In the past, I've lived my life as though it held no accountability, and truthfully speaking, I would have to think that way in order to do some of the things I've done. Say some of the things I've said.

Having chosen to acknowledge God's calling on my life, this lack of accountability is a long forgotten memory. Not a friend at all. It was never any good company to begin with....today I think they call this kind of a companion a "Frenemy". One, who disguises themselves as a friend, but has the wickedness of a demon. One, who's sole purpose is to separate you from the goodness you were born with..,

to tell you that you deserve everything your little heart desires....who would it harm (these bad decisions), anyway? If its pleasing to you.., who really cares? If your not happy, then damn everyone else. You weren't put on this earth to suffer...to be miserable. You deserve to be happy...even at the cost of others.

Frenemmies! Thanks.., but no thanks.

Still, Christians do not have it easy...as a matter of fact, we are faced with temptation, and bitterness, slothfulness, greed, lust, envy..., you name it, we've seen it face to face.

Lots of times it gets the better of us. Lots of times it engulfs us.

Again, however, the difference is accountability. Yes, we mess up...a lot. Thankfully, though, the whispers of our savior are always nearby. Mercifully, our hearts are not our own. Supernaturally speaking...another resides in us. Urging the apology. Nudging towards redemption. Guiding us to make amends.

We are not better than any other human being on the face of this planet. We were once broken, and lost...scarred and wounded. We were blind and numb...destroyed and perished.

Until...One came to put the pieces back together...to find us,  to anoint our scars and heal our wounds...to restore our sight and bring feeling ,where once there was none...to build us back up...to bring life to our death.

Sometimes, the only way to get through a day, is to focus on the promise that there will come a day when all will be set right...as God intended it to be. In the book of Revelation....one of my favorites, God (Jesus Christ) gives a vision...and a promise to the Apostle John, and he writes in Revelation 21:1-8 "Then, I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying.."Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. For the old order of things has passed away."

The bible says that in this vision of greater things to come...there will be four creatures...one with a face like a lion, one with a face like an ox, one with a face like a man and one with a face like an eagle...who will forever and ever...without ceasing sing..."Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come"

Jesus Himself says..."I am the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the End"..

Therefore, the suffering on this earth is short lived. The calling for greatness is immense. There will be pain, suffering, famine and loss...there will also be gladness, healing, plenty and joy.

So. Onward, Christian Soldier! The promise is not for here..it is for over the hills and through the woods we go...march on and fight the good fight. Arm yourselves with the living, breathing Word of God.

So, no. We Christians may not have it made in the shade. God, however, in His great mercy, did provide the shade for us to sit and rest a while; for the journey is long.

Do good beyond your front doorstep, give...even when you find yourself in need, pray...even when the words won't come, {He hears your silent cries}. Be quick to seek forgiveness and quicker still, to give it.

God Bless!

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